The National Librarian, Prof. Chinwe Veronica Anunobi, was joined by the leadership of the FCT chapter of the Network of Book Clubs and Reading Culture Promoters (NBRP) to inaugurate the Local Organising Committee for the 2025 Abuja Book City project. 

In his remarks at the event, Chief ‘Loye Olowookere, the FCT NBRP Coordinator, noted that the network is an amalgam of existing Book Clubs in Nigeria that aims at establishing new book clubs in Nigeria with the ultimate goal of having at least one book club per local government area. He disclosed that the Book City initiative is the network’s effort that aligns with UNESCO’s World Book Capital City programme, which runs from April 23rd of one year through April 23rd of the following year. He further explained that, upon FCT-Abuja’s selection as the 2025 Book City, collaboration was sought with NLN and the Nigerian Copyright Commission to plan and organize the event, and the National Librarian warmly welcomed the collaboration. 

While inaugurating the committee which included National Library of Nigeria (NLN) and Network of Book Clubs and Reading Culture Promoters (NBRP) nominees, the National Librarian stressed the need to address Nigeria’s low reading culture despite its abundance of prolific writers. She therefore reaffirmed her commitment to supporting all initiatives aimed at promoting reading and literacy, urging the committee to make an impactful noise that will see Abuja residents embrace reading as a habitual engagement. The management team of the NLN was present at the event. 

NLN nominees in the committee are: 

Mr. Dele Aworinde 

Mrs. J. I. Phyllis 

Mr. M. N. Baba 

Mrs. L. I. Suwaiba 

The Local Organizing Committee is tasked to reach out to stakeholders, partners, donors, and sponsors within and outside the book ecosystem in the FCT and beyond for support and involvement in the 2025 Abuja Book City Project, among other tasks.